Personal Testimony
Willam Ezau
Personal Testimony of Faith
I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour on June 4, 1984, under the ministry of Pastor Frank Webber at Manna Christian Fellowship in Ennerdale, Johannesburg.
At the time, I was employed at Epic Oils (Pty) Ltd, a margarine processing plant situated in Isando, Furnace Road, Johannesburg East, opposite Kempton Park and Spartan. As a young and eager convert, filled with my first love for Christ, I had an overwhelming desire to see everyone saved—even the entire company where I worked.
During this period, I became acquainted with a colleague named Leon Cloete from Benoni, who did not yet know the Lord as his personal Saviour.
Growing in the Word
I regularly visited a Bible bookshop in Commissioner Street, Johannesburg, where I purchased biblical literature and New Testament audio cassette tapes narrated by Oral Roberts, including his personal commentary. These recordings were a tremendous blessing to me, as I listened to them during my long commutes to and from work.
At the same time, Johannesburg Television Media Broadcasting Services aired a programme called “Bob TV”, which featured Jimmy Swaggart preaching exclusively. I still clearly remember the introduction:
“And now we present to you evangelist Jimmy Swaggart with his own style of religion.”
Whether that was the correct way to present the programme, I do not know, but the messages had a powerful impact on my spiritual growth.
I began recording these sermons on a VHS recorder, using the large cassette cartridges common at the time. One sermon in particular stood out to me, entitled:
“Can God Condemn a Man to Hell and Justify Himself?”
Around this time, I arranged a visit with Leon and his family—his wife Susann, and their two young children, Quintas and Marga, who were approximately four and five years old. They invited me to their home in Benoni.
I remember clearly that it was a Saturday afternoon when I drove from Ennerdale to Benoni, carrying with me the VHS recorder and the recorded sermon. During the visit, I shared the Gospel with them in a simple and sincere manner, as young as I was in the Lord. I was also given the opportunity to screen the sermon for them.
Afterwards, I took the courage to ask if they would like to accept the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. To my great joy, both Leon and his wife Susann responded in the affirmative.
I was overwhelmed and ecstatic. This was the first time in my young Christian life that God had enabled me to lead a family to Christ. It is an experience I will never forget. From that day onward, we encouraged one another in the Lord.
I later purchased a number of booklets titled “God Is a Good God”, which Leon distributed among his colleagues at work as a form of witnessing. How marvellous and wonderful it is to populate heaven with souls for the Kingdom of God.
That was 40 years ago (1985). It is now September 2025.
To God be all the glory and all the praise.
Let us continue with diligence, endurance, and patience, and not grow weary. It is not how we start, but how we finish the race that is set before us.
Jesus is coming soon, it is even at the door.
Look up, for your redemption draws near.
Jeremiah 12:5
“If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trusted, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?”
Until then, don’t give up while the Lord Jesus tarries.